Chapter 12 Preparation

• Sia twirled on her bed when she heard her phone and alarm clock bleeping. She couldn’t help cussing as these two yelping sounds boomed in her ears. She reached for the phone on the nightstand and picked it up.
• She fluttered her eyes open gently to peek at the sky decked with the morning sun.
• “Hello.” She said sleepily, not looking at her screen to know who it is that called.
• “Sia! It’s the D-day!!” Estrella’s voice gushed, mixed with that of excitement and anticipation. “Gosh!! You honestly don’t know how happy and antsy I feel.”
• “I understand Estrella. Today means a lot in every girl’s life. It’s a day to officially announce to the world you belong to one man. And then in a few months' time, you guys will announce to the world you two are willing to stay together forever. So, girlfriend, your feelings are valid, trust me.” Sia explained to the best of her ability.
• She has been there before. When she took vows with Mr. Monson, although she never wanted to take that vow in a loveless marriage but circumstances overhauled her decision.
• Like every other girl, Sia had always imagined her marriage to be something that emanated from love. She always dreamt of her dream man and how she was willing to spend the rest of her life with him.
• She imagined how her engagement party night will be and her bachelorette party as well. Sia is the kind of girl that’s always positive about things.
• She always believed that some circumstances might bring change. She hoped for that change, to tug her people away from poverty.
• That change came but brought with it some alteration in her dreams. She fled from their poverty-stricken life, unfortunately, her family isn’t there to enjoy the riches with her.
• Her longed dream wedding, engagement party, and bachelorette party never manifested. She felt bad but had to accept things the way they are.
• “You’re right girlfriend. I’m happy and afraid because once I take this leap today there’s no turning back.”
• Sia heard her friend sniffling.
• “I love Ethan a lot. And I just hope our relationship blooms after tonight.” Estrella whispered.
• “You'll be fine trust me. Enough now, go get ready for your day!!” Sia cheered.
• “Right! Thanks, girlfriend. See you later at night.” Estrella spat.
• Sia sighed when they cut the call, she attempted to sleep again but Michelle’s knock on the ajar door interrupted her.
• “Good morning Mrs. Monson. I made a cup of coffee for you. Can I come in?”
• “Arghh!!” Sia wailed, running her hands through her hair. “I just fucking need to rest but you people keep hassling me!!”
• “what? Mrs. Monson, are you good?” Michelle asked when she heard Sia grumbling about God knows what.
• “Come in!!” Sia’s voice boomed in the room and Michelle instantaneously flapped the door fully open, creeping inside with a sheepish grin plastered on her face.
• “Good morning once more.” She greeted again as she kept the coffee on Sia’s nightstand. “Why are you still in bed? Is something amiss?”
• Sia propped up from the bed, barely opening her eyes. “I’m good Michelle. Don’t worry about me.”
• Michelle gave her a suspicious look, not buying what Sia just articulated. “I doubt you’re good. I mean, you usually wake up before this time and go on roadwork. Why’s today different?” Michelle became more inquisitive.
• Sia’s feeling weak and sad at the same time. She’s happy for her friend Estrella though. But she’s sad knowing that these feelings Estrella's having are not something she’ll experience in her lifetime.
• That’s something she had always looked forward to but now she has come to terms with the fact that it will never manifest in her life.
• Lucas whom she had dreamt to share that experience with disappointed her and then she resorted to marrying Mr. Monson.
• “I’m seriously good. About the roadwork, I didn’t feel the need to go today. It’s my friend's engagement party today. So I just want to sit back and prep myself for it. You know.” She explained to the best of her ability and Michelle inclined her head in a nod.
• “Then you need to rest Mrs. Monson. Should I invite a masseuse for you?” She probed.
• “No need for that, Michelle. I’m just going to exercise on the treadmill. That’s the only thing I want to work with today.” Sia clued Michelle in while clutching her coffee and took a sip.
• “Alright then. I'll go make some breakfast.” She said and exited the room.
• Sia stalled her gaze at the sky, drinking in Its azure color and the rays of the sun while her mind was plotting her steps a few days from now.
• She has concluded to start her revengeful act on Lucas and has deftly made a mental rundown of ways she'd start.
• However, her thoughts split into two. On one hand, she feels too lame to act and she can’t tell why. But on the other hand, the hunger to make him pay intensifies whenever her mind races back to his hurtful words.
• When she finished with her coffee, Sia changed into her sports bra and pants and walked down the stairs to her treadmill that’s at the garden.
• Sia switched it on and stepped on it, walking, and running as her body perspire while her mind running down memory lane.
• “The promise ring.” She whispered to herself whilst walking on the treadmill.
• “What’s this for?”
• “I want you to keep this with you always. I want it to always remind you about me whenever I’m not around, Sia.”
• “Do you plan on leaving?” she asked, glazing her eyes into his. Lucas hunkered his head and swooped her lips with his before drawing her closer to his chest as they looked at the iridescent color of the setting sun. That they were at the beach when Lucas gave her the promise ring.
• Sia can’t forget this.
• “I’m not leaving you la mia donna. I'll always be here for us. I'll be by your side. I just want it to always remind you that you’re mine. So when someone tries to woo you, you show it to him.”
• “Oh…that’s cunning.” She raised her head and looked at his face. However, Lucas was equally looking down at her, so their eyes locked. They didn’t speak with their mouth for what seemed like hours but their gaze spoke volume.
• “I’m not being cunning, baby. I just want to show the world that I love you and I’m willing to claim you when the right time comes.” Lucas said, breezily.
• “When will that be?” she asked, curious.
• “La mia donna, I can’t say yet but I know we'll soon. Just keep this ring with you until that time.”
• “Okay.” Sia grinned, nodding her head. And then their lips messed in a heated kissing session. Both panting when they parted their lips.
• “Those shits he told me were all a lie!!” Sia sputtered as she pressed the stop button on the treadmill. A surge of disbelief blazed through her as she remembered this.
• “I should have seen that deceptive look he gave me that day. I should’ve known better than let myself be used.” Her voice turned a low rumble as she lamented.
• “Um…Mrs. Monson.” She heard a servant's voice bleeping behind her and Sia turned, staring at her.
• “Any problem?” She asked.
• “Someone’s here to see you, ma’am. He said he’s a makeup artist.” The servant wheezed, her head bowed.
• “Oh, I see. I'll be there.” Sia directed immediately she remembered Estrella’s words yesterday.
• The servant left to welcome the makeup artist.
• “She’ll be here soon, sir…”
• “Ma’m please.” The guy's deep voice echoed.
• Startled, the servant looked him up and down. It’s clear he's a guy so why’s he denying it? She wondered.
• “Ma’am,” she said rather questionably.
• “Yes, right. I’m a gayyy…” he drawled, appalled by the servant's dull brain.
• “Ahh…I see. Okay, ma’am. Please have a seat.” She shooed him in and he sat on the burgundy couch in the living room.
• Shortly after, Sia arrived with a bottle of water in her hand.
• “So you’re the one Estrella sent?” she asked not sparing the gay guy a glance.
• “Yes, Mrs. Monson, right?” He asked, not certain if Sia is truly the widow he had heard about.
• Sia pulled to a stop and veered toward him, grinning.
• “Don’t I look like one?” She asked.
• The guy swallowed hard, blinking at Sia. Truthfully, he thought the widow is really going to be way too old. But Sia is quite the opposite.
• Young and beautiful.
• Has a modeling body and is a bit tall. Although from his examination, he could tell he’s taller than her slightly.
• “Yes…I mean no!” he blurted.
• “Yes, that I don’t look like one or no that I look like one?” Sia asked, enjoying the seeming confusion in the guy’s head.
• “No, you look like one.” He voiced his response.
• “Great then, wait here I’ll let you in when I’m done freshening up," Sia said, ascending the stairs.
• “Damn…she’s way too young. Or prolly it’s because she maintains her skin well. God, when will my skin glow like hers.” He said, peeking at his body. Sighs.
• Time drag by fast and Sia already freshened up after resting for a few minutes on the bed. Then she sent the servants to call the makeup artist.
• When he arrived in Sia’s room, he started glamming her up.
• “Smack your lips.” He whispered after applying peach-colored lipstick on Sia’s lips. She did as per the instructions.
• Within a few minutes, he finished glamming Sia up. Then he styled her in a mermaid style.
• “Now have a look at yourself, Mrs. Monson.” He said breezily, fawning over Sia’s beauty.
• Sia swiveled on her seat and peered at her reflection. She saw a beautiful creamy-skinned lady with slight makeup on her face and mermaid-styled hair glancing back at her. She didn’t know when a smile tugged her lips apart.
• “You look stunning, Mrs. Monson.” The guy cooed.
• “Thank you. Your handwork is impeccable. I think you'll be my makeup artist from hereon.”
• “Oh, that will mean a lot to me, Mrs. Monson.” He said in between smiles of appreciation and joy.
• “Alright. I'll take my leave now." Sia stood up, her white sequin gown shimmered under the light.
• It’s already night and the party will soon start, so she descended the stairs to the frontage where her driver was waiting. When she piled up in the car, the driver stepped on the gas pedal and rev-up along the street.
• Meanwhile, Lucas and Danika had already arrived at the ballroom. Danika looped her hand on Lucas’s arm as they pranced into the ballroom.
• When Lucas spotted Ethan and Estrella, they walked over and greeted each other.
• “I’m glad you came.” Estrella cheerfully told Danika but the latter remained stoic.
• “Babe I’m glad you'll finally meet my friend tonight,” Estrella whispered to Ethan.
• “Let’s see this friend you honor a lot,” Ethan responded.
• “Your friend is coming…” Lucas didn’t finish his question as Estrella began to hum in sheer excitement.
• “She’s here!!!!” she pulled her arm from Ethan’s and proceeded to welcome Sia.
• “Glad you made it on time. Come let me introduce you to my fiancé.” Estrella said with bubbles of excitement swirling inside her, she shooed Sia where they are standing.
• “Ethan Meet my friend, Sia,” Estrella announced, cheerfully.
• Hearing the name Sia, Lucas instantly turned and gaped subconsciously.
• “Sia!” he called his voice slightly above a whisper.
• Sia heard her name and the voice felt so much familiar, hence she sliced her eyes to the direction it emanated, and their eyes instantly locked.